Following the [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|1955 radio series]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', a [[wikipedia:Tooting|Tooting]] resident named "Sam Gamgee" wrote to Tolkien on [[13 March|March 13]], [[1956]]. On [[March 18]], Tolkien replied. He explained his own origin of the name [[Gamgee Family|Gamgee]], and mentioned the Gamgee family of [[Birmingham]]. In his letter, Gamgee had already shown awareness of his family's name fame in [[wikipedia:Sampson Gamgee|the medical profession]]. Tolkien then asked for more information about the name, and offered a signed copy of ''The Lord of the Rings''.

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Following the [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|1955 radio series]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', a [[wikipedia:Tooting|Tooting]] resident named "Sam Gamgee" wrote to Tolkien on [[13 March|March 13]], [[1956]]. On [[18 March|March 18]], Tolkien replied. He explained his own origin of the name [[Gamgee Family|Gamgee]], and mentioned the Gamgee family of [[Birmingham]]. In his letter, Gamgee had already shown awareness of his family's name fame in [[wikipedia:Sampson Gamgee|the medical profession]]. Tolkien then asked for more information about the name, and offered a signed copy of ''The Lord of the Rings''.

In an editorial note, further correspondence is mentioned. Gamgee wrote back with family information, and accepted the gift kindly.

In J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, pages 224-225, this episode was also mentioned. It was followed by: "[l]ater he said: 'For some time I lived in fear of receiving a letter signed S. Gollum. That would have been more difficult to deal with." It was likely that this passage was from the fragment known as Letter 185.